To the Journal editor:

We have just returned from spending a month as volunteers in Najaf, Iraq. We went at the invitation of Sami Rasouli, an Iraqi-American who spent 25 years living in Minneapolis and who returned to Iraq in 2004 as a peacemaker to help restore healing to his people and to build bridges between the people of Iraq and America. Sami has started an “English for Reconciliation” school to help young Iraqi adults improve their conversational English and to foster reconciliation between Americans and Iraqis by learning more about one another through sharing stories of lifestyles, culture and our mutual desire for peace.

As we embarked on this visit, we had no idea what to expect. We were told we would be safe in southern Iraq. Given national coverage of war-torn Iraq, of United States history of repeated invasions and destruction of major cities, of a people who would resent American presence in their daily lives and holy places, we wondered why we would be a welcome presence in Najaf. The most difficult part of our volunteer time in Iraq was leaving at the end of our 30 days. We were repeatedly welcomed and showered with generosity and love.

We were introduced to a culture steeped in tradition, family loyalty, the Muslim faith. We met women who love for more opportunities, men and women who want freedom to travel and explore other countries, parents who want their children to grow up free from the fear of war. Iraqis pleaded with us to tell our friends, neighbors, our country, that the Iraqi people are a loving, compassionate people who want to be our friends. They respected differences in our faith traditions and focused on the common core beliefs of respecting and loving one another.

We are often, through media coverage, led to believe that Muslims are to be feared, that their faith promotes dominance and violence. We are grateful that we had the opportunity to meet devout Muslims who live and teach non-violence and love.

JIM and MARTHA HAYWARD, Negaunee